Rural–Urban Differences in Bonding and Bridging Social Capital

Sørensen J. F. L. Rural–urban differences in bonding and bridging social capital, Regional Studies. It is a common sentiment that rural areas are richer in social capital than urban areas. This hypothesis is tested here by drawing on data from a Danish survey (2011/2012) and by using the distinction between bonding and bridging social capital. Bonding social capital was found to be significantly higher in rural areas, whereas bridging social capital was found to be marginally higher in urban areas. The evidence thus partly refutes the hypothesis of higher social capital in rural areas. Among other results, the evidence suggests a degree of trade-off between the two forms of social capital.